Dispensing device



Ct. 29, 14940. G *Q TR'QTTER l 2,219,604

DISPENS ING DEVICE Filed NOV. 20. 1939 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITEDSTATES 2,219,604 DISPENSING DEVICE George C. Trotter, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 20, 1939, Serial No. 305,264 a 8 Claims- Thisinvention relates to a dispensing means to be applied to the dispensingopening of collapsible tubes, bottles, and other containers fortoothpaste, shaving cream, lotions, and similar substances of a plastic,semi-liquid o1"4 liquid form.

y As is generally known, toothpaste, shaving cream and similarsubstances are customarily put up in collapsible containers providedwith a lo screw-threaded dispensing neck and sealed by means of ascrew-threaded cap. In some instances other kinds of removable caps areused which are secured to the neck or body of the container by suchmeans as bayonet-slot connections and the like. Such devices are costlyto make and add considerably to the expense of marketing the productsand it is a'well known fact that removable caps are inconvenient andoften a source of annoyance to the user.

Numerous attempts have been made to obviate 'this added expense andsource of annoyance by providing dispensing tops of one kind or anotherto replace the removable cap. Generally speaking, such devices take theform of a compressible nipple which serves as a closure for the tube orother container and which, by the application of pressure, is intendedto cause extrusion of the contents of the nipple.

Insofar as I am aware, devices of this character heretofore proposedfall into two general classes based on their mode of use or operation:those in which the collapsible tube or other container is pressedcontents into the nipple and those in which the tube or container isinverted so as to permit the contents thereof to ow by gravity into thenipple. Both of these kinds of devices have serious objections andconsequently they have not been adopted commercially notwithstanding thegreat need for something to replace the removable cap. Those whichdependfor operation upon pressure applied to the tube or container areobjectionable because two hands are required s to manipulate them and ifthe nipple should become only slightly clogged the result may be thatthe pressure may cause the tube or container to burst. The kind thatdepends upon gravity flow cannot be used for toothpaste, shaving creamor other cosmetic creams which do not flow freely.

It is also quite generally thepractice to make glass containers forliquids such as tonics, lotions,

and the like with a very small dispensing orifice.

nipple which may be applied to collapsible tubes to force a portion ofitsplied to the necks of bottles having what may be calledv a normal,large, dispensing opening and will enable the user conveniently todispense the contents thereof in such small quantities as may bedesired, a result which is now sought to be accomplished by restrictingthe dispensing oriflce in the neck of the container.

My invention aims to provide a dispensing or other containers forpastes, creams and liquids 5 and which in operation will successfullydispense the contents thereof without applying pressure to the containerand which is conveniently operated by one hand. 2o

The device of my invention is in reality a small force pump which may beapplied to the dispensing neck of tubes, bottles or other containers andis made of resilient materal, so that by alternately applying andreleasing pressure upon 25 the device the contents of the container willbe drawn into the device and expelled therefrom through a dischargeopening provided therein.

More specifically stated, it is the object of my invention to provide aresilient dispensing top 30 for tubes, bottles and other containerswhich in operation acts as a pump to draw and expel the contents of thecontainer and which, when not in operation, serves as a ysecure sanitaryseal for the container. 35

With the foregoing objects in mind, and others which will develop as thedescription proceeds, I will now describe in detail a practicalembodiment of my invention. It is to be understood, however, that inmaking such detailed descrip- 40 tion I do not thereby limit myself tothe precise structural features so set out, as it will be quite clear tothose skilled in the art when my basic idea has been explainedI that thesame may be embodied in other forms employing, the principle of myinvention but without departing from the scope thereof as defined in theappended claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view of a container in the form of o a collapsible tube withthe dispenser of my invention applied thereto, the dispenser being shownin longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 isa view in longitudinal section of a slightly modified form ofmy dispenser;

Fig. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of a further modification;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the insert illustrated in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the dispensertaken on the line 5-5 of Fi 1;

ig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of my dispenser applied to acontainer having a screwthreaded neck; and

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing my dispenser in itscollapsed or deformed state when ilnger pressure has been applied.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral 2 indicates acollapsible tube of the type generally used for the marketing-oftoothpaste, shaving cream, or other cosmetic creams and lotions. As mydevice is intended to be s ecured to the top o'f the container by themanufacturer thereof, or by the manufacturer of the contents, to serveas a permanent top and dispenser for the contents, it is unnecessarythat the neck of the tube or container shall be screwthreaded orprovided with any of the other common means by which a removable cap maybe secured thereto.

In the instance of the tube 2, here illustrated, y

As will be seen from the drawing, the member I 5 is hollow and isprovided at its base with an inwardly extending circumferential lockingflange 6 adapted to engage under the flange 4 on the container. Theflange 6 can be snapped over the flange 4, thus providing a very simpleand easily applied connection.

Within the said hollow mempegwprovide a partition 1 which hasavgentnrally'loca ed aperture 8. This partition in the preferredembodiment of the invention herein illustrated is integrally formed withthe body of the member 5 and of the same material so that it also isresilient, whereby it may be deformed to close the aperture 8 whenpressure is applied to it and whereby it will resume its normal positionwith the aperture open when the pressure is released.

The resilient partition l thus forms a restriction within the hollowinterior of the member 5 and. divides the interior into two chambers orcompartments, marked A and B.

The member 5 is provided With a discharge opening 9 in its tip, as shownin Figs. 1 and 5. This discharge opening may be formed by producing avery fine slit in the member 5 While the member is stretched as, forexample, over a. mandrel. The slot may also be formed from the inside ofthe nipple by any sui-table thin, sharp tool. When my device is adaptedfor the dispensing of liquids, I may employ fine perforations instead ofa slit, the perforations being formed' by puncturing the nipple from theinside out by means of a fine tool. The purpose of forming the slit orperforations in this manner is assure that they will always beSelf-closing and self-sealing. They remain in such self-closing,selfsealing condition on account of the inherent resiliency of thematerial of the member 5 and because of the fact that the slit orperforations have been formed when the said material is stretched.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 2 there is only a very slightdifference from that heretofore described. The difference resides inthat thepartition 'I is so molded with the body portion of the device asto include llets IIJ which provide forrounded corners at the point ofJunction of the partition and the body portion.

Fig. 3 illustrates a further modification. In this case instead ofhaving a partition which is integrally molded with the body portion ofthe device, I provide an insert generally indicated by the referencenumeral II comprising a cylindrical wall I2 having a substantially flatcircular end wall I3 provided with an aperture I4. The Wall I3 issubstantially the same as the partition 1 described in connection withthe other embodiments of my invention. It may be that in some cases itwill be easier from the manufacturing ,standpoint to insert thiscylindrical member II into the device 5 than to mold the partition 1integrally Within it.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated the application of my invention to anordinary collapsible tube I5 which in this case is provided with ascrewthreaded neck I6. In this embodiment of the invention the member 5is provided at its base with a somewhat thickened screw-threadedattaching poizion I1 instead of the interlocking ange 6 described inconnection with the other embodiments of my invention. To facilitatethreading the member 5 on to the screw-threaded neck I6 the exteriorconfiguration of the attaching portion I1 may be hexagonal or othernon-round form.

In practice I have found that the effectiveness of my device appears tobe related to the size of the aperture B in the partition 1. Withinlimits I find that the smaller the aperture, the greater will be theeffect of the suction created in the chamber A of the nipple whenpressure is released to draw material into the nipple. The size of thisaperture will also be partly determined by the nature of the substanceto be dispensed. For example, in dispensing liquids which flow ratherfreely, the said opening may be made somewhat smaller than whendispensing creams of relatively high consistency such as toothpastes andthe like.

As I have already pointed out, the partition 1 in Figs. 1 and 2, and thepartition I3 in Fig. 3 are made of resilient material. Consequently,when the nipple is collapsed or deformed by the application of fingerpressure, the said partition will tend to assume the-position shown inFig. 7, or it may tend to assume a position pointing inwardly into thechamber B. In either event the resilient partition is deformed. Theinstant finger pressure .on the nipple is released, this partition willalso tend to resume its normal position and in so doing it tends tosupplement the inherent resiliency of the nipple itself to restore thesame to its normal shape.

In the commercial use of my invention the dispensing nipple will beapplied to the tube or container at the factory and the purchaser willbuy the same with the dispenser attached. Although unnecessary, I thinkin shipment and during hantiling, the discharge opening of the dispensermay The operation is as follows: Assume a tube of toothpaste or the likewith a 'device of my invention attached thereto. My device is hollow andmay initially be free from any of the contents-of the tube. Fingerpressure is now applied to the dispensing nipple approximately on theline of the partition 1 and the same will be squeezed so as tosubstantially completely collapse the nipple as shown particularly inFig. 7. This will also deforrn the partition 1 in the manner shown insaid figure, or in the opposite direction as heretofore explained. Theresult is that the aperture 8 in the partition 1 will be closed and thuscommunication is cut oil' between the two chambers A and B of thenipple. Any air which may be in the compartment A is therefore expelledthrough thedischarge slit 9. Upon release of the nger pressure thenipple will tend to resume its normal shape by reason of its inherentresiliency supported or supplemented by the resiliency of thepartition 1. Thereupon a partial vacuum will be created in the chamber Aand as the aperture 8 is now open this partial vacuum will tend to drawsome of the contents of the tubel into the nipple to fill the same.

To initiate the operation of the device, a few alternate applicationsand releases ofilnger pressure will be required in order to prime thepump,v as it may be described. But once the nipple has been filled withthe contents of the tube or container, linger pressure thereon tion ofthe contents to be expelled through the dispensing slit 9. 'Ihe instantthe material leaves the discharge slit, said slit will close whether ornot pressure on the member is released. Thus, the material will be cutoil cleanly by the discharge slot and there is no opportunity for air toenter through it and into the nipple. Upon release of the fingerpressure, new material will enter into the nipple as above described andso the use of the device may continue until the material in the tube hasbeen entirely expelled.

The user may, of course, roll up the collapsible tube from the bottom asthe contents is gradually depleted, as is now quite the generalpractice.

It will be observed that the operation of my device requires only theuse of two fingers of one hand, whereas prior devices attempting toproduce my result, require the use of two hands. With my device it isnot necessary to squeeze the tube in order for' the contents to be drawninto the dispensing nipple, as has been necessary with devices of thischaracter heretofore proposed.

Thus, my device is very simple in construction and operation` andeffectively solvesthe long existing problem of providing a practicaldispensing top for tubes and. other containers to eliminate theexpensive and annoying removable caps heretofore generally employed.

It will be understood, of course, that my device being made of naturalor synthetic rubber. it is entirely possible to produce the same incolors and designs embodying various color-effects to harmonize with thecolor and exterior design and appearance of the tube or container to iwhich it is applied to produce a pleasing and ornamental effect.

While my device as illustrated in the accompanying drawing may be saidto be of generally tubular form,it will be understood that I do notlimit myself to that precise configuration. So

will cause a porlong as the material of which the device i's made isinherently resilient, it may be made in almost any desired form to whichit will return by its natural resiliency after the release of deformingpressure. Consequently my device may be made in any number of ornamentalshapes to conform to, or harmonize with, the general shape of thecontainer to which it is applied.

I claim as my invention:

1. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowmember of resilient material having a normally closed discharge outlet,and means within said member adapted to divide its interior into twoseparate chambers, said means having'a normally open aperture providinga relatively restricted passage between said chambers.

2. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowresilient member having a normally closed discharge outlet, andresilient means within said member adapted upon application of pressureto divide the interior of said member into two separate chambers, saidmeans having an aperture providing a relatively restricted passagebetween said chambers when pressure upon said member is released.

3. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowresilient member having a normally closed discharge outlet, andresilient apertured restricting means within said member, saidrestricting means being adapted upon application of pressure toA saidmember to divide its hollow interior into two separate chambers and uponrelease of pressure to assist said resilient member to resume itsoriginal shape and to establish communication' between said chambersthrough said aperture.

4. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowmember of resilient material having a normally closed discharge outlet,and a resilient apertured partition within said member, the aperture ofwhich is adapted to be closed upon application of pressure to saidmember.

5. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowresilient member having a normally closed discharge slit, said memberhaving also an attaching portion provided with an intake opening adaptedto be put into communication with the contents of a container, andresilient means within said member operating as said member isalternately deformed and allowed to resume its normal shape to forciblymove material through said intake opening and to cause it to be expelledthrough said discharge slit;

6. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowresilient member having one end adapted to be put into communicationwith a container and having at its other end a normally closed dischargeslit, and resilient apertured means within said hollow member betweenits ends, said resilient vmeans being adapted upon the application ofpressure to said member to divide its hollow interior into two chambersand upon release of such pressure to establish communication betweensaid chambers through said aperture, whereby as pressure is alternatelyapplied to and released from said member and said resilient meansmaterial will be caused to move from said container into said hollowmember and to be expelled therefrom through said discharge slit. i

7. Dispensing means for tubes and other con- 75 tainers, comprising ahollow resilient member having an intake opening adapted to be put intocommunication with a container, said member having also a self-closingdispensing slit, resilient means within said member having a relativelyrestricted aperture therein, said resilient means being collapsible uponthe application of pressure to close said aperture and divide theinterior of said member into two separate chambers, whereby material inthe chamber on one side of said resilient means is expelled through saiddispensing slit, and whereby upon release of pressure the aperture insaid resilient means will open and permit movement of material into theevacuated chamber by the suction created therein.

8. Dispensing means for tubes and other containers, comprising a hollowmember of resilient material having a normally closed discharge outlet,and a resilient member inserted in said first mentioned member andhaving an. end wall located transversely thereof, said end Wall having10 a normally open aperture therein.

GEORGE C. TROTTER.

